Harry Belafonte of the Banana Boat song fame is not happy
with Beyonce and JayZ. In an interview at the Lacarno Film Festival he had some harsh criticisms for African
American celebrities who shy away from social activism using Beyonce and JayZ
as examples. I have no knowledge of the couple`s involvement or non-involvement
but I am quite sure there are many more celebrity types who may be guilty as
charged.
The controversial statement is not without merit since there
is not a lot of evidence that African American celebrities are out there
fighting for social justice. But perhaps there is a good reason, while not a
credible justification, that these celebrities do not readily use their wealth
and popularity to influence social change. Such advocacy can often come with a
black lash and the fear that Hollywood may drop you like a hot potato for
perceived radical views.
African American celibrities may fear losing their hard won fame and
fortune if they do not follow the straight and narrow path. But shouldn’t celebrities be obligated to
lend a voice or hand to further social justice issues? Some do and maybe more
than we know about but if we don’t know about it then maybe there isn’t much of
an impact. As Harry Belafonte pointed out in the interview, ``Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you’re talking. I really
think he is black."
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